One of these days, Sam too will learn to drive his great-grandfather’s tractor

Buellton has always been known for its friendly hospitality and delicious food, as well as its easy access from both Highway 101 and Highway 246. Even though Highway 101 no longer runs through the middle of Buellton, there are convenient off-ramps at both the north and the south. And Highway 246, which runs from Santa Ynez all the way to Lompoc, intersects with Highway 101 right at Buellton.
  If you are interested in the history of this interesting city, you might want to stop by the Buellton Historical Society’s “History Room,” located above the gift shop at Pea Soup Andersen’s Restaurant, where you can get self-guided tours.
  For information about events and happenings in Buellton, call the Buellton Visitors Bureau and Chamber of Commerce at (805) 688-7829 or (800) 324-3800 or go to their website: www.visitbuellton.com. If you want to visit their office, its new location is at 597 Avenue of Flags, Unit 101, close to the Northern end of the new row of buildings called Vintage Walk, which you will see on the West side of the street.
  Continuing south from the Visitors Center on Avenue of Flags to Highway 246, turn right and proceed to Industrial Way. Turn left on Industrial Way to visit two of Buellton’s newest attractions. 

The Solvang Century bike ride is coming March 10.

  The first of these is the Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company. For more information about them, see our Tasting Tour of the Santa Ynez Valley.

Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company
www.FigMtnBrew.com
  This family owned brewery is the dream-turned-reality project of Jim and Jaime Dietenhofer. From the unique flavor combinations to the quality ingredients, each of their Santa Ynez Valley-inspired beers boast superior drinkability. Figueroa Mountain Brewery is quickly gaining a following of micro-brew connoisseurs throughout the state.

Avant Tasting Room/Terravant Wine Company
www.AvantWines.com
  After leaving Figueroa  Mountain Brewing Co., proceed to the very end of Industrial Way. You will see a large building labeled Terravant Wine Company, with signs on the left directing you to the Avant Tasting Room entrance, which faces a beautiful view of the Santa Ynez River and the Santa Ynez Coastal Mountains.Avant offers a totally new and unique tasting experience, which you can learn more about in our Tasting Tour of the Santa Ynez Valley.

Andre Organic Lavender Farm
www.andreorganiclavender.com
  Now head west on Highway 246 to visit Andre Organic Lavender. The address is 926 West Highway 246,  Buellton.
  As always, for gift ideas, their “general store” is a treasure trove. You can purchase their very own lavender oil, or a myriad of lavender products made from their own oil and from fragrant lavender buds, including some adorable hand made sachets, decorated with ribbons and lace.
  And check out their exciting personal care products, which include Lavender Deodorant, Lavender Goat’s Milk, Glycerin Soap, and Lavender  Bubble Bath.
Lavender products for the kitchen include Honey Roasted Almonds, Lavender Creamed Honey and Lavender Salt, Pepper and Sugar.
  Andre Lavender is a family business; it’s run by Cheryl Wagner and her son, Tim Wagner. The name comes from Cheryl’s mom, Ruth Andre, who established the lavender business with her husband and daughter. Cheryl’s parents have retired now, and she’s happy to have her son’s help.
  When they were first starting out, Ruth and Cheryl donated 100 bottles of their lavender oil to the Santa Barbara Cancer Center. Lavender oil has been proven to calm and relax patients during their radiation and/or chemotherapy treatments. Cheryl learned this first hand as she helped a friend’s husband go through cancer treatment.
  Cheryl says, “This is our way of giving back to Santa Barbara County and the Santa Ynez Valley, not only with a product we are very proud of, but a product that is very useful and comforting.”

Creation Station Fabric & Quilt Shop
www.thecreationstation.com
  Now return west on Highway 246. Just after the Albertson’s shopping center, you will see the sign on the right for Creation
Station Fabric and Quilt Shop in the Buellton Shopping Center. You won’t want to miss this store, especially if you or anyone in your family likes sewing or quilting.
  You will be amazed at the fantastic selection of vibrantly colored fabrics, beautiful quilts and other quilted gift items for sale.
  You are sure to find many gifts and souvenirs, or the materials to handcraft your own gifts or household decorations.
  Creation Station owner Dawn Farrier began a home-based business in 1999, marketing fabric directly to quilters and fabric collectors. She traveled to quilt shows, marketing her high-quality, 100% cotton fabrics.
  Her business grew far beyond what she expected and relocated to this beautiful 2,800 square feet of retail space where she can display her wares on counters and shelves that are convenient and easy to see.

Both Creation Station and Steve’s Wheel & Tire are easily found behind Jack-In-the-Box restaurant on East Highway 246.

  All of her fabric is 100% cotton, top-quality, value-priced at $7 per yard and is pre-cut into half-yard and one-yard lengths for special projects. Dawn also has bolts of the fabrics, at the same price. She holds sewing and quilting classes, as well as “Brown Bag Quilting Retreats” throughout the year—contact their website for more information.
  Dawn and her husband Patrick make a point of attending quilt shows and festivals up and down the state throughout the year.
  Dawn has been teaching beginning sewing classes with each class designed to give students basic sewing projects that can be completed in a short amount of time and on a shoestring budget.
  Additional exciting news about the Farriers is that they have been invited to Salt Lake City, Utah and Houston, Texas to address other shop owners at international trade conventions on their unique successes, and to train other owners how to “think outside the box.”
  If you just want to sit, sew and make new friends then you may want to attend one of the “open-sewing” dates that also take place on the first and third Wednesday of each month.
For more information about classes, retreats, open-sew dates or anything else, contact The Creation Station staff at (805) 693-0174.

Steve’s Wheel and Tire
www.stevestirebuellton.com
  Just across the parking lot from Creation Station is Steve’s Wheel and Tire.
Owner/operator Steve Lykken opened his shop in 1968 and this year is celebrating its 44th anniversary. Steve works alongside his expert staff to repair or replace your brakes, tires or shocks. They also do computerized alignments and balancing, tire rotations and custom wheels.
  Our family has used Steve’s for three generations, because we know they are always honest and reliable. What’s more, there’s no appointment necessary for most work—it’s done on a first come, first served basis.
  You can enjoy a cup of coffee and read a magazine in their waiting room while your job is being done.
  In addition to their weekday hours, they’re open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, which is convenient if you work on weekdays or you’re traveling and have a tire problem. Be sure to ask Steve about his classic “Woody” station wagon while you’re there.